On the upcoming final season of Spartacus, premiering Friday, Jan. 25 at 9/8c on Starz, the titular rebel leader (Liam McIntyre) may have amassed 30,000 bloodthirsty followers, but he'll be met by an equally merciless force, led by a new opponent, Marcus Crassus (Simon Merrells).

What makes Crassus dangerous is that he's not your typical Roman. He's creatively wily, which is why he knows that teaming up with Julius Caesar (Todd Lasance) will attract more Romans to their cause. Neither is Crassus one of those aristocrats who sits on his wealthy butt and lets his muscles atrophy. In fact, it looks like he's getting some battle training similar to the paces the slaves were put through in the ludus.

Check out this exclusive first-look photo of Crassus:

Since it's Spartacus, we're not so surprised that he's showing some skin, but wielding two swords? Those are the rebel Gannicus' weapons of choice! What do you think of Crassus?

Here's more info on the Romans on Spartacus: War of the Damned, which premieres Friday, Jan. 25 at 9/8c on Starz.